R'tunga in race for ICC's playing comm. chief

Former players Majid Khan and Ranatunga are in contention to succeed Gavaskar as the head of the ICC'a playing committee.

Former Test captains Majid Khan and Arjuna Ranatunga are among those in contention to succeed Sunil Gavaskar as the head of the International Cricket Council's playing committee.

The chief executives of the Test-playing nations are expected to nominate the next Chairman of the Cricket Committee.

Pakistan has nominated former Test captain Majid Khan for the position while Sri Lanka has submitted the name of their World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga.

"Gavaskar was given a one-year extension as head of the playing committee last year but he has to be replaced by a new Chairman this year at the ICC annual meeting," a Pakistan Cricket Board source said.

"We have been trying to lobby and seek support for the candidature of Majid Khan who we feel is the ideal person to replace Gavaskar after his long stint as head of the playing committee," he said.

India's backing will have a major bearing on who wins the race, the official said.

Pakistan have not been happy with some of the decisions taken by Gavaskar and made this clear last year while proposing Majid's name for the post.

The playing committee will also be discussing changes to the playing conditions for matches affected by rains or those which have no chance of a result.

"The question is when should the umpires be authorised to call off a match if there are no chances of a result. And when should a rain-affected game be abandoned, before or after the toss?" he said.